Ayodhya also known as Saket is the top pilgrimage destination for all Hindus as it is the birthplace of Bhagwan Rama on the banks of the Sarayu river, the 7th avatar of Vishnu. Ayodhya is also setting of the epic Ramayana. Here in Ayodhya Sant Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas or Ramayana in 1574 at Ayodhya.

Ramayana dates back to 1st millennium BCE and Ayodhya was capital of Lord Rama was Ayodhya.

Ayodhya is one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites (Saptapuri) for Hindus.

The birth spot of Rama was marked by a temple, which was demolished by Mir Baki the commander of Mughal emperor Babur and a mosque was erected in its place. The Babri masjid was destroyed in 1992 by Hindu Kar sewaks and hindu groups pledged to rebuild a Rama's temple at the site. Ayodhya is of great importance to Hindus.

Ram Janma Bhoomi Live Darshan - 2016 - What is there Now

There is a makeshift mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi with a Ram Lalla, representing Rama as a child, smiling over a blooming lotus.

The 27-inch-high (690 mm) deity is carved in white marble from the mines of Makrana in Rajasthan and laced with gold.

The palanquin is made of seasoned rosewood brought from forest in Karnataka. The statue was donated by Chandresh Pandey of Jaipur Pandey Idol Museum.

Hindu pilgrims enter through a side door to offer puja.

In 1989, the Allahabad High Court opened the locks of the main gate and restored the site to use. However, when Hindus wanted modifications of the dilapidated Islamic style structure built by General Mir Banki, and did a Shilanyas, or inauguration, of a proposed new temple. Since, then the matter has been sub-judiced.

A movement was launched in 1984 by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad party to reclaim the site for a temple of the infant Rama, Ramlala. Hindus say that they have been demanding the return of the site for centuries, and cite accounts of western travellers during the Mughal rule in India.

The mosque was destroyed in 1992 by mob of thousands of kar sewaks.

Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple - How to do darshans

1. You need to reach Temple site before 11:00 AM to gain entry

2. There is tight Security, Expect multiple times body checks

3. Ram lala and Other Idols are placed in a makeshift Camp.

4. There is enough proof in and around temple that this place is Ram nangri

5. You have darshans of Ram lala from a distance

6. You are allowed only Clothes and Money as a offerings to Ram lala

Ram Janma Bhoomi temple - Cronology of Important Events - Latest news

Feb 23rd - 2016 - Subramanyam Swamy submitted a petition in the apex court stating that the disputed mosque in Ayodhya could be shifted to some place across river Saryu and the Lord Ram temple be constructed at the disputed site. In response, the court said that the issue would be listed before the bench which is already hearing matters regarding the Ram temple-Babri Masjid row.

31st Jan - 2016 - Swamy had earlier claimed that work on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya could start before the end of this year and expressed confidence that the apex court`s verdict would pave the way for construction of the temple.

6 Dec 1992 - The mosque was destroyed in 1992 by mob of thousands of kar sewaks.

In 1989, the Allahabad High Court opened the locks of the main gate and restored the site to use. However, when Hindus wanted modifications of the dilapidated Islamic style structure built by General Mir Banki, and did a Shilanyas, or inauguration, of a proposed new temple. Since, then the matter has been sub-judiced.

In 1984 - A movement was launched in 1984 by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad party to reclaim the site for a temple of the infant Rama, Ramlala. Hindus say that they have been demanding the return of the site for centuries, and cite accounts of western travellers during the Mughal rule in India.

1949: Idols of Ram Lalla are placed under the central dome.

Ayodhya Ram Janma Bhumi Celebrations

Ayodhya is a city of temples as there are about 300 temples here.

Ram Navami and Shravan Jhoola Mela are the main festivals which are celebrated in Ayodhya.

Ram Navami falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (March-April). The people from all parts of the country gather on the banks of Saryu river. The birth of Lord Rama is celebrated at midnight, when Ayodhya is filled with the sound of conches and bells.

Shravan Jhoola Mela starts on the third day of the second half of Shravana (July-August) and lasts till the end of the month. The images of the Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita are swung in the temples and then taken in Mani Parvat, where a big gathering joins in swinging these deities. The deities are later brought back to the temples.

The Ayodhya of Ramayana was the capital of the Hindu kingdom Kosala on the banks of the Ganges, a river whose waters cleanse all sin, and on the right bank of Ghagra.

The Ikshvaku dynasty of suryavansha ruled over Ayodhya by great king Dasharatha and later his son Vishnu Avatar Rama.

In the Atharvaveda, Ayodhya was said to be "a city built by gods and being as prosperous as paradise itself".

In Garuda Purana, Ayodhya is said to be one of seven holiest places for Hindus in India, with Varanasi being the most sacrosanct.

Valmiki is said to have begun writing the Ramayana in Ayodhya. Its opening chapters recount the magnificence of the city, the glories of its monarch and the virtues, wealth and loyalty of its people.

Later Tulsidas written the common version of the Ramayana called the Ramacharitamanasa, in which he also praised the city.

Several Tamil Alvars mention the city. It is the birthplace of Jadabharata, the first Chakravartin, Bahubali, Brahmi, Sundari, Padaliptasurisvarji, Harishchandra and Achalbharata.

Ayodhya is a 'Mokshdayani Puris,' or 'land of spiritual bliss and liberation from karma bandhan,' along with Varanasi, and Dwarka.

Hindu scripture such as the Ramcharitmanas, Vishnu Purana and Shrimad Bhagvat Mahapuran recommend pilgrimage to the city.

The latest archaeological evidence in 2003 carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India between 12 March and 7 August 2003, uncovered a variety of objects, including a 12-foot (3.7 m) statue of Lord Hanuman and coins dating to early historic times and other historic objects. Which concluded that an ancient temple had been demolished or modified to create the Babri Mosque under Babur.

Even Before the 1940s, the Babri Masjid was called Masjid-i-Janmasthan ("mosque of the birthplace") in all official and revenue records . Shykh Muhammad Azamat Ali Kakorawi Nami (1811–1893) wrote: "the Babari mosque was built up in 923 A.H. under the patronage of Sayyid Musa Ashiqan in the Janmasthan temple in Faizabad-Avadh, which was a great place of (worship) and capital of Rama’s father.

Babri Masjid ( Masjid-i-Janmasthan)

There was a temple at the birth place of Lord Rama from ancient, A mosque was constructed during 1528-29 by Mir Baqi, a Commander of the Mughal Emperor Babur.. Babri Masjid was demolished in the year. 1992. The demolition of Babri Masjid and subsequent findings of presence of a temple beneath the mosque rubble proved that there was an ancient temple at the site of the Babri Masjid.